Regulatory

The fate of a putative consolidation accusing baby food maker Beech-Nut Nutrition Co. of violating consumer protection laws by including toxic amounts of heavy metals in its products is now in the hands of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) after a New York federal judge on Thursday ruled the court does not have jurisdiction over the case.

In this week’s roundup: Albertsons launches emerging brand competition; Post Holdings sues LA-based rock band OK Go; Whole Foods aims to increase store expansions three-fold; Campbell’s consolidates snack offices and SPAM gets stylish.

The Washington State Supreme Court has cleared the way for Albertsons to pay out a $4 billion shareholder dividend after it sided with a lower court trial judge in declining the state attorney general’s request to appeal an injunction on Tuesday.

Digital advertising has become a nightmare for hemp food and beverage brands, regardless of whether or not their products contain CBD.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration made a small but notable move in nutrition standards this week, raising vitamin D fortification level allowances in cereal while expanding regulation to permit the nutrient’s addition in the bar category.

Both organic and conventional chocolate makers came under fire when a Consumer Reports study found potentially hazardous levels of lead and cadmium in 28 dark chocolate products. The issue became more complex when Trader Joe’s and Hershey’s, were served with class action lawsuits.

Grillo’s is taking Wahlburgers to court over pickles, a data company unveils its cattle carbon credits at the CES Convention, Jenny Craig launches a ready-made, meal delivery platform and precision fermentation company Liberation Labs closes seed funding round.

The Washington State Supreme Court has accelerated the review process of a temporary block on grocery chain Albertsons’ $4 billion shareholder dividend. The expedited review, moved up to January 17 from its original date in February, aims to resolve questions over the payment.

A Washington, D.C. Circuit court panel sided with Albertsons on Tuesday refusing to impose an emergency pause on the grocery chain’s planned $4 billion shareholder dividend filed in the court a month and a half ago.

A Reagan-Udall Foundation report released Tuesday said that the FDA’s Human Foods Program “requires adequate resources, sufficient authority, and a structure and culture that breeds success” to accomplish its goal of creating a safer food system.